I have been enjoying the access we now have to some amazing study resources through "RightNow Media". I want to share one with you. Just Walk Across the Room, by Bill Hybels, ties in very well with our challenge to have gospel conversations. One observation that he makes is that, as we become involved in church and growing in our faith, we surround ourselves with fellow believers. While this is great for our growth, it unfortunately isolates us from the lost world we are commissioned to reach. I have found that to be true of my own life. I have taken the challenge seriously and am asking the Lord for a greater awareness of my opportunities. This study gives some wonderful ideas about how to share your testimony, as well as ways to engage the world around you in a natural and inviting way. I think you will enjoy Bill Hybels' conversational style of teaching.You can find this study under the subject heading of "Evangelism".Beverly Chesnut

With the holidays quickly approaching, I felt it would be an excellent time to share this story with you. Please enjoy it and share it with others, so they too can be reminded that the best is yet to come! A Gospel conversation.There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. As she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. The woman also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible.

Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

"There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" came the pastor's reply. "This is very important," the woman continued." I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand." The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say.. "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.

The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, "keep your fork." It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming..like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: "Keep Your Fork...The bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She KNEW that something better was coming. At the funeral people were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite Bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.

So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you oh so gently, that the best is yet to come..In Christian Love, Carol Bridges